Image forming apparatus, image formation supporting system, and image formation supporting method

ABSTRACT

When an initial communication program is started, a handheld device searches for image forming apparatuses within its communicable range. Then, upon receiving a response of that inquiry from an image forming apparatus, the handheld device requests the image forming apparatus for an image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices according to a predetermined determination condition. The image forming apparatus then responds to the inquiry from the handheld device and sends to the handheld device the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices that has been stored in a memory device. Upon receiving the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, the handheld device stores it in a memory unit, terminates the execution of the initial communication program, and executes the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No.12/878,616 filed on Sep. 9, 2010, and claims priority to Japanese PatentApplication No. 2009-213424 filed in Japan on Sep. 15, 2009 and JapanesePatent Application No. 2010-167494 filed in Japan on Jul. 26, 2010. Theentire contents of each of the above are incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus, an imageformation supporting system, and an image formation supporting method.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, image forming apparatuses such as facsimileapparatuses, printers, copying machines, and multifunction products(MPFs) are being configured to have more and more functions. Thatphenomenon has led to an increase in not only the number of operationbuttons that are provided in an operating unit for the purpose ofallowing a user to input various operations but also in the number ofoperation items that can be input. Consequently, it is becoming more andmore difficult to figure out at first glance the necessary operations toperform in order to implement an intended function. Meanwhile, thesedays, handheld devices such as cellular phones or handheld gaminggadgets that are easy to carry at all times have a high penetration rateand it is not uncommon for a person to possess more than one handhelddevice. With regards to such handheld devices, there has been aremarkable development in multi-functionality and sophistication, somuch so that the functions that were earlier performed on personalcomputers (PCs) can now be performed on handheld devices. For example,handheld devices have been put to use for authenticating the users ofimage forming apparatuses.

In the past, a technology has been disclosed in which a handheld deviceis put to use as a personal authentication device at the time of usingan image forming apparatus and, after the authentication is performed,the image forming apparatus displays on an operating unit thereof ascreen that is customized on an individual basis (e.g., see JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. 2005-114790). Moreover, a technologyhas been disclosed in which a handheld device is put to use as apersonal authentication device at the time of using an image formingapparatus and the image forming apparatus is configured in such a waythat, after the authentication is performed, the user is freed from therequirement of inputting the user information point-by-point in theimage forming apparatus (e.g., see Japanese Patent Application Laid-openNo. 2008-200898). Furthermore, a handheld device has been disclosed thatallows customization of the display screen according to the preferencesof the user in order to enhance the operability (e.g., see JapanesePatent Application Laid-open No. 2007-274275).

However, in the case of conventional image forming apparatuses andconventional handheld devices as described above, although an imageforming apparatus can be authenticated using a handheld device, it isstill necessary to directly operate the operating unit of the imageforming apparatus in order to implement various functions such ascopying, printing, and facsimile communication or to perform operationsregarding various settings for implementing those functions. Thus, it isnot that simple to perform the operations related to the image formingapparatus.

Meanwhile, there have been strong demands from companies for productshaving information security measures in order to prevent leakage ofinformation. In spite of that, during the on-site use of image formingapparatuses, there are times when the personal authentication settingsfor the users are determined to be unnecessary. Thus, it is highlyconceivable that, at best, password settings are provided for theadministrators of image forming apparatuses. Thus, it is not uncommonthat any ordinary user is able to implement almost all functions of animage forming apparatus just by standing in front of it. Because of suchpractices, even if an image forming apparatus is equipped with afunction for customizing the screen on a user-by-user basis, it isdifficult for a user to customize the screen to one's own preferences.Meanwhile, although some image forming apparatuses are equipped with aweb-based function of setting a customization option for customizingscreens on an individual basis, the lack of user administration makes itdifficult to implement that function.

Moreover, it is standard practice for companies to install a pluralityof image forming apparatuses each having different functions andcapability. For example, generally, there are installed medium-speedimage forming apparatuses capable of forming color images and high-speedimage forming apparatuses capable of forming monochromatic images. Thus,the users can make use of such image forming apparatuses according tothe features. In an environment in which a plurality of image formingapparatuses is installed, the manner in which each image formingapparatus is used is mostly decided. In such an environment, since themethod of performing settings for an intended function is different ineach image forming apparatus, standardization has been a difficult taskand it has become a common sight to find users getting stuck in front ofimage forming apparatuses.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems in theconventional technology and it is an object of the present invention toprovide an image forming apparatus, an image formation supportingsystem, and an image formation supporting method so that, even withrespect to a plurality of image forming apparatuses each havingdifferent functions and capability, simple operations can be performedfrom a handheld device depending on the intended use of each imageforming apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to at least partially solve theproblems in the conventional technology.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided animage forming apparatus having at least one of an image readingfunction, a copying function, a printing function, and a facsimilecommunication function and being capable of implementing a functionrelated to image formation, the image forming apparatus comprising: amemory unit for storing a program that is executed in a handheld devicefor the purpose of displaying on the handheld device a first screen forsetting an advanced setting item as an image forming condition at thetime of performing image formation by implementing the function and forthe purpose of displaying on the handheld device a second screen forrequesting image formation; a sending unit for sending to the handhelddevice the program stored in the memory unit in response to a requestfrom the handheld device; and an image forming unit for performing, whenthe handheld device sends an image forming request that has an imageforming condition specified therein and that requests for imageformation by implementation of the function, image formation accordingto the image forming condition specified in the image forming request.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is providedan image formation supporting system comprising: an image formingapparatus having at least one of an image reading function, a copyingfunction, a printing function, and a facsimile communication functionand being capable of implementing a function related to image formation;and a handheld device performing communication with the image formingapparatus, wherein the image forming apparatus includes a first memoryunit for storing a program that is executed in a handheld device for thepurpose of displaying on the handheld device a first screen for settingan advanced setting item as an image forming condition at the time ofperforming image formation by implementing the function and for thepurpose of displaying on the handheld device a second screen forrequesting image formation; a sending unit for sending to the handhelddevice the program stored in the first memory unit in response to arequest from the handheld device; and an image forming unit forperforming, when the handheld device sends an image forming request thathas an image forming condition specified therein and that requests forimage formation by implementation of the function, image formationaccording to the image forming condition specified in the image formingrequest, the handheld device includes an input receiving unit forreceiving an operation input from a user; a program requesting unit forrequesting in response to the operation input received by the inputreceiving unit and according to a predetermined determination condition,the image forming apparatus for the program; a receiving unit forreceiving the program from the image forming apparatus; a second memoryunit for storing the program received by the receiving unit; and anexecuting unit for executing the program, the executing unit including afirst display control unit for displaying the first screen on a displayunit by executing the program; a memory control unit for setting, inresponse to an operation input received with respect to the first screenby the input receiving unit, the advanced setting item and storing aconfiguration file that indicates setting of the advanced setting itemin the second memory unit in a corresponding manner with the imageforming apparatus; a second display control unit for displaying thesecond screen on the display unit by making use of the configurationfile; and a request sending unit for sending, according to an operationinput received with respect to the second screen by the input receivingunit, an image forming request, in which is specified the setting of theadvanced setting item indicated in the configuration file, as an imageforming condition to the image forming apparatus.

According to still another aspect of the present invention, there isprovided an image formation supporting method implemented in an imageformation supporting system that includes an image forming apparatushaving at least one of an image reading function, a copying function, aprinting function, and a facsimile communication function and beingcapable of implementing a function related to image formation, the imageforming apparatus including a first memory unit for storing a programthat is executed in a handheld device for the purpose of displaying onthe handheld device a first screen for setting an advanced setting itemas an image forming condition at the time of performing image formationby implementing the function and for the purpose of displaying on thehandheld device a second screen for requesting image formation; asending unit; and an image forming unit; and a handheld deviceperforming communication with the image forming apparatus, the handhelddevice including an input receiving unit; a program requesting unit; areceiving unit; a memory control unit; and an executing unit, the imageformation supporting method comprising: sending, by the sending unit, tothe handheld device the program stored in the first memory unit inresponse to a request from the handheld device; image-forming, by theimage forming unit, that includes performing, when the handheld devicesends an image forming request that has an image forming conditionspecified therein and that requests for image formation byimplementation of the function, image formation according to the imageforming condition specified in the image forming request;input-receiving, by the input receiving unit, that includes receiving anoperation input from a user; requesting, by the program requesting unit,the image forming apparatus for the program in response to the operationinput received by the input receiving unit and according to apredetermined determination condition; receiving, by the receiving unit,the program from the image forming apparatus; first-memory-controlling,by the memory control unit, that includes storing the program receivedat the receiving in a second memory unit; and executing, by theexecuting unit, the program, the executing includingfirst-display-controlling that includes displaying the first screen on adisplay unit by executing the program; second-memory-controlling thatincludes setting, in response to an operation input received withrespect to the first screen by the input receiving unit, the advancedsetting item and storing a configuration file that indicates setting ofthe advanced setting item in the second memory unit in a correspondingmanner with the image forming apparatus; second-display-controlling thatincludes displaying the second screen on the display unit by making useof the configuration file; and request-sending that includes sending,according to an operation input received with respect to the secondscreen by the input receiving unit, an image forming request, in whichis specified the setting of the advanced setting item indicated in theconfiguration file, as an image forming condition to the image formingapparatus.

The above and other objects, features, advantages and technical andindustrial significance of this invention will be better understood byreading the following detailed description of presently preferredembodiments of the invention, when considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary configuration of an imageformation supporting system according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of an operation display unit of the image formingapparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary software configuration ofthe image forming apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary software configuration ofa handheld device according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary setting screen displayed by animage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices on anoperation display unit of the handheld device according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary setting screen displayed by theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices on theoperation display unit of the handheld device according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary setting screen displayed by theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices on theoperation display unit of the handheld device according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary setting screen displayed by theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices on theoperation display unit of the handheld device according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary configuration file generated by theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices accordingto the present embodiment;

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary configuration file generated by theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices accordingto the present embodiment;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary implementation request screen that theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices displays onthe operation display unit of the handheld device using theconfiguration file according to the present embodiment;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary setting screen for the purpose ofselecting a target function for setting advanced setting items accordingto the present embodiment;

FIG. 13 illustrates an exemplary implementation request screen accordingto the present embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the sequence of operationsperformed by the handheld device to obtain the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices from the image forming apparatusaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a flowchart for explaining the sequence of operationsregarding the determination performed at Step S4 illustrated in FIG. 14based on a predetermined determination condition;

FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining the sequence of operationsfor issuing an image forming request to the image forming apparatussubsequent to Step S25 illustrated in FIG. 14;

FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary display on the operationdisplay unit of the handheld device when the image forming apparatus ispresent in plurality within the communicable range of the handhelddevice; and

FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the sequence of operationswhen the handheld device executes the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices in the case when the image formingapparatus is present in plurality within the communicable range of thehandheld device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Exemplary embodiments of an image forming apparatus, an image formationsupporting system, and an image formation supporting method according tothe present invention are described in detail below with reference tothe accompanying drawings. The present invention is not limited to theseexemplary embodiments.

Firstly, an exemplary configuration of an image formation supportingsystem is explained below with reference to FIG. 1. The image formationsupporting system includes an image forming apparatus 1 and a handhelddevice 2 that mutually perform wireless data communication. Given belowis the general description of a hardware configuration of the imageforming apparatus 1. In order to implement the image forming function,the image forming apparatus 1 includes an operation display unit 10, anengine unit 11, a scanner unit 12, a FAX unit 13, and a controller unit14. The operation display unit 10 includes an operating unit (notillustrated) made of a plurality of hard keys and a display (notillustrated) made of a liquid crystal panel. The operation display unit10 receives operation inputs performed by the users as well as displaysa variety of information. Meanwhile, the operation display unit 10 canalso be configured to be a touch-sensitive panel.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the operation display unit 10 of the imageforming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the operationdisplay unit 10 is assumed to be a touch-sensitive panel. On theoperation display unit 10 are displayed the buttons (also referred to as“keys”) for setting a plurality of advanced setting items for variousimage forming functions such as the copying function (reproducingfunction), the scanning function (image reading function), the FAXfunction (facsimile communication function), and the printer function(printing function). The advanced setting items represent the conditionsfor image formation (also referred to as “image forming conditions”). InFIG. 2, a setting screen is illustrated with the advanced setting itemsfor the copying function such as “original scanning settings (1 sided/2sided)”, “output size with respect to original”, “output paper size”,“output concentration”, and “output orientation”. The user sets theadvanced setting items for the copying function by touching the buttonsdisplayed on the setting screen.

Returning to the explanation with reference to FIG. 1, the engine unit11 represents, for example, a black-and-white line printer (B&W LP) or acolor line printer (color LP. Based on image data, the engine unit 11forms images and prints them on paper. The scanner unit 12 reads imagesfrom an original and generates image data representing the read images.The FAX unit 13 performs facsimile communication of image data. Thecontroller unit 14 controls the image forming apparatus 1 in entiretyand includes a central processing unit (CPU) 15, a memory 16, a memorydevice 17, and a wireless communication unit 18. The CPU 15 is amicrocomputer that executes computer programs stored in the memorydevice 17 functioning as the work area for the purpose of controllingthe image forming apparatus 1 in entirety and implementing variousfunctions. The memory 16 is a memory device including a random accessmemory (RAM) and is used as the work area by the CPU 15 at the time ofperforming various operations. The wireless communication unit 18performs data communication with the handheld device 2 on the basis ofcommunication standards such as the wireless LAN standard (LAN standsfor local area network), the Bluetooth standard, or the infraredstandard.

The memory device 17 is a hard disk drive (HDD), a nonvolatile memory(e.g., a NAND-type flash memory, where NAND stands for inverted AND), amemory card such as a secure digital (SD) card (SD memory card), or aflash memory such as a USB flash memory (USB stands for universal serialbus). Meanwhile, as an example, it is also possible to simultaneouslyconnect a plurality of memory devices of different types such as the HDDand the flash memory. The memory device 17 is used to store a variety ofdata such as various computer programs that the CPU 15 executes, theimage data generated in the image forming apparatus 1, and the imagedata received by facsimile communication. Besides, the memory device 17is also used to store an image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices that is executed by the handheld device 2 as describedlater. Herein, the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices is configured in, for example, the “Java” format or the “.net”format (“JAVA” and “.net” being registered trademarks) that is notdependent on the hardware environment of the handheld device 2 in whichthe image-forming-apparatus control program for hardware devices isexecuted. That is, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhardware devices is configured in such a format that it can be executedas long as an environment program is available for the purpose ofexecuting it. Meanwhile, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhardware devices includes unique information that enables identificationthe image forming apparatus 1.

Given below with reference to FIG. 3 is the general description of anexemplary software configuration composed of various programs stored inthe memory device 17 of the image forming apparatus 1. The image formingapparatus 1 includes a software group 110 composed of a platform 120 andan application 130 as well as includes an image-forming-apparatusactivating unit 140 that is executed when the image forming apparatus 1is switched ON. The following description includes the explanation offunctions that are implemented when the CPU 15 executes the computerprograms related to the image-forming-apparatus activating unit 140 andthe computer programs included in the software group 110. When the imageforming apparatus 1 is switched ON, the image-forming-apparatusactivating unit 140 is first executed so that the image formingapparatus 1 is initialized or diagnosed and the control services and theapplications explained below are started. The platform 120 includes acontrol service for interpreting processing requests issued by theapplication 130 and causing generation of obtaining requests regardinghardware resources, includes a system resource manager (SRM) 123 formediating the obtaining requests issued by the control service, andincludes a general-purpose operating system (OS) 121.

The control services are composed of a plurality of service modules andinclude a system control service (SCS) 122, an engine control service(ECS) 124, a memory control service (MCS) 125, an operation panelcontrol service (OCS) 126, a fax control service (FCS) 127, and anetwork control service (NCS) 128. Meanwhile, the platform 120 includesan application program interface (API) that enables reception of theprocessing requests from the application 130 using functions defined inadvance.

The general-purpose OS 121 is a general-purpose OS such as UNIX(registered trademark). The processes of the SRM 123 perform systemcontrol and resource management along with the SCS 122. The processes ofthe SCS 122 performs application management, operation unit control,system screen display, light-emitting diode (LED) display, resourcemanagement, and interrupt application control. Particularly in thepresent embodiment, the processes of the SCS 122 receive a job inresponse to an image forming request from the handheld device 2 andcontrol the execution of the job. Meanwhile, the SCS 122 can also beconfigured to implement the personal authentication function. Herein,the personal authentication means, for example, allowing a user to usethe image forming apparatus 1 when the user code or the password inputby that user from the operation display unit 10 matches with the usercode or the password that is registered in advanced.

The processes of the ECS 124 control the hardware resources of theengine unit 11, the scanner unit 12, and the FAX unit 13. The processesof the MCS 125 perform processing related to the use of the memory 16 orthe memory device 17. The processes of the FCS 127 perform theprocessing for facsimile communication. The NCS 128 provides servicesthat can be commonly used with respect to applications requiring networkinput/output (I/O). That is, the NCS 128 includes the function ofprotocol processing for data communication.

The processes of the OCS 126 control the operation display unit 10 thatfunctions as an operation panel. More particularly, from the operationpanel, the OCS 126 obtains a key press as a key event and configures akey event function corresponding to the obtained key from a portion ofthe OCS processes sent to the SCS 122, from a drawing function fordrawing various screens on the operation panel in response to a requestfrom the application 130 or the control services, or from a portion ofan OCS library in which is registered in advance a function forcontrolling the operation panel.

The application 130 includes a printing application 111 as theapplication for printing, a copying application 112 as the applicationfor copying, a facsimileing application 113 as the application forfacsimileing, and a scanning application 114 as the application forscanning. Besides, the application 130 also includes ahandheld-device-communication program 117 that has the function ofsending the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devicesvia the wireless communication unit 18 in response to a request from thehandheld device 2 and the function of performing data communication withthe handheld device 2. The handheld-device-communication program 117 canbe loaded from a flash memory card or an SD card or can be downloadedfrom a server connected to a network and then installed in the imageforming apparatus 1. The other applications can also be installed in theimage forming apparatus 1 in an identical manner. Alternatively, insteadof installing the applications in the image forming apparatus 1, it isalso possible to run them directly from the flash memory card or the SDcard.

Returning to the explanation with reference to FIG. 1, given below isthe general description of a hardware configuration of the handhelddevice 2. Herein, the handheld device 2 can be a cellular phone or ahandheld gaming gadget and includes an operation display unit 20, amemory unit 21, a wireless communication unit 22, a memory 23, and a CPU24. The operation display unit 20 includes an operating unit (notillustrated) made of a plurality of hard keys and a display (notillustrated) made of a liquid crystal panel. The operation display unit20 receives operation inputs performed by the users as well as displaysa variety of information. Meanwhile, the operation display unit 20 canalso be configured to be a touch-sensitive panel. The memory unit 21 isa storage device including a read only memory (ROM) or an HDD and isused to store the computer programs that the CPU 24 executes.

The wireless communication unit 22 performs data communication with theimage forming apparatus 1 on the basis of communication standards suchas the wireless LAN standard, the Bluetooth standard, or the infraredstandard. The memory 23 is a memory device such as a RAM that is used bythe CPU 24 as the work area at the time of performing variousoperations. By performing various operations using the memory 23 as thework area, the CPU 24 controls the handheld device 2 in entirety andimplements various functions. Particularly, following functions areimplemented in the present embodiment: a function of sending to theimage forming apparatus 1 an image forming request via the wirelesscommunication unit 22 in response to an operation input performed by theuser from an implementation request screen described later; and afunction of displaying on the operation display unit 20 a setting screenfor setting in advance the advanced setting items regarding variousfunctions as the image forming conditions at the time of requestingimage formation and customizing the implementation request screendepending on the operation input performed by the user.

Given below with reference o FIG. 4 is the general description of asoftware configuration composed of various computer programs stored inthe memory unit 21 of the handheld device 2. The handheld device 2includes a handheld device embedded OS 200, a handheld device controlprogram 201, a browser 202, and an initial communication program 203.The following description includes the explanation regarding thefunctions implemented when the CPU 24 executes the abovementionedcomputer programs. The handheld device embedded OS 200 performsmanagement of the memory 23 or the memory unit 21, performs taskmanagement, and performs input-output management. Moreover, the handhelddevice embedded OS 200 can also be configured to have a network functionor a file system function for controlling the communication via anetwork. As the handheld device embedded OS 200, for example, aUNIX-like operating system based on LINUX is used. The handheld devicecontrol program 201 controls the handheld device 2 in entirety. Thebrowser 202 displays web pages on the operation display unit 20 as wellas displays images representing image data or documents representingdocument data on the operation display unit 20. Meanwhile, the handhelddevice 2 can also be configured without the browser 202. The initialcommunication program 203 performs data communication with the imageforming apparatus 1. More particularly, depending on an operation inputperformed by the user from the operation display unit 20 and dependingon a predetermined determination condition, the initial communicationprogram 203 receives the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices and stores it in the memory unit 21. That is, animage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204 isadded to the exemplary software configuration illustrated in FIG. 4.Besides, depending on an operation input performed by the user from theoperation display unit 20, the initial communication program 203 sendsan image forming request to the image forming apparatus 1.

Depending on an operation input performed by the user from the operationdisplay unit 20, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices 204 displays a setting screen on the operation displayunit 20 for the purpose of setting the advanced setting items of eachfunction related to image formation. Depending on an operation inputperformed from the setting screen, the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices 204 sets the advanced settings; anddepending on the advanced setting items that have been set, theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204displays an implementation request screen on the operation display unit20 for the purpose of requesting the image forming apparatus 1 toperform image formation. Besides, at the time of setting the advancedsettings in response to the operation input performed from the settingscreen, the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices204 generates a configuration file and stores it in the memory unit 21in a corresponding manner with the image forming apparatus 1.Subsequently, at the time of displaying an implementation request screenon the operation display unit 20, the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices 204 reads the configuration file from thememory unit 21 and uses it to display the implementation request screenon the operation display unit 20.

Regarding the setting screens displayed by the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices 204 on the operation display unit20, the description is given below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.Firstly, as illustrated in FIG. 5, a setting screen (initial settingscreen) is displayed on the operation display unit 20 for the purpose ofselecting a target function for setting the advanced setting items.Herein, buttons 30 to 33 represent the buttons for selecting variousfunctions. For example, consider a case when an operation input isperformed to select the copying function from the setting screenillustrated in FIG. 5. In other words, consider a case when a button 44is selected and followed by the pressing of a “select” button 55. Inthat case, as illustrated in FIG. 6, a setting screen is displayed onthe operation display unit 20 for the purpose of setting the advancedsetting items also including the target function for settings (in thiscase, the copying function). Subsequently, consider a case when anoperation input is performed to perform setting of each advanced settingitem in the setting screen illustrated in FIG. 6. In other words,consider a case when the advanced setting items are selected frompull-down menus 45, 48, 50, 52, and 54 of list boxes 44, 47, 49, 51, and53, respectively, and followed by the pressing of the “select” button 55as illustrated in FIG. 7. In that case, the advanced setting itemsrelated to the copying function are set and a configuration file relatedto those settings is generated. Meanwhile, as illustrated in FIG. 8, theuser is allowed to input a title (56) for the settings.

Given below with reference to FIG. 9 is the description of theconfiguration file generated by the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices 204. In FIG. 9 is illustrated an exemplaryconfiguration file regarding the copying function for which the advancedsetting items are set from the setting screen illustrated in FIGS. 5 to8. In the first line illustrated in FIG. 9 is specified the title thathas been input for the settings. The second line to the sixth linerespectively correspond to the items selected from the pull-down menus45, 48, 50, 52, and 54 of the list boxes 44, 47, 49, 51, and 53. Herein,in an advanced setting item “function”, it is specified that thesettings are related to the copying function; in an advanced settingitem “scan_side”, it is specified that the original is to be scanned onone side; in an advanced setting item “Nin1”, it is specified that twopages are to be combined in a single page; in an advanced setting item“paper_size”, it is specified that the output paper size is A4; and inan advanced setting item “print_side”, it is specified that both sidesof the paper are to be used for the output. With respect to such aconfiguration file, for example, the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices 204 stores in the memory unit 21 the filename including the MAC address (MAC stands for media access control)allotted to the image forming apparatus 1. Hence, the configuration fileis stored in a corresponding manner with the image forming apparatus 1.Meanwhile, the example illustrated in FIG. 9 is given for aconfiguration file of the “.ini” format. Alternatively, theconfiguration file can also be in the “.xml” format or in the “.csv”format. Moreover, in the case when a plurality of settings are performedwith respect to the image forming function in a single image formingapparatus 1; then, as illustrated in FIG. 10, theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204generates a configuration file in such a way that the plurality ofsettings are specified in the same configuration file.

Explained below with reference to FIG. 11 is an implementation requestscreen that the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices 204 displays on the operation display unit 20 using theconfiguration file. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a button 57 is displayedthat indicates the title “2in1 2 sided copy” as specified in theconfiguration file illustrated in FIG. 9. Besides, in the implementationrequest screen, a standard-initial-screen calling button 58 is displayedfor the purpose of calling a standard implementation request screen.When the button 58 is pressed in the implementation request screen; theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204 selectsthe settings in the configuration file corresponding to the titleindicated by the button 57, specifies the image forming conditionsaccording to the selected settings, and sends an image forming requestto the image forming apparatus 1 via the initial communication program.For example, in response to the pressing of the button 58, theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204specifies the image forming conditions as follows: the original is to bescanned on one side; the output paper size is A4; two pages are to becombined in a single page; and both sides of the paper are to be usedfor the output. Then, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices 204 sends to the image forming apparatus 1 an imageforming request for requesting image formation by implementing thecopying function. Subsequently, according to the image forming request,the image forming apparatus 1 performs image formation. Meanwhile, uponreceiving an image forming request, regarding the advanced setting itemsthat were not set in the configuration file, the image forming apparatus1 sets default settings in the image forming conditions and thenperforms image formation.

In response to an operation input requesting customization from theimplementation request screen displayed on the operation display unit20, the image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices 204displays the setting screen on the operation display unit 20 and, inresponse to the operation input performed by the user from the settingscreen, updates the configuration file stored in the memory unit 21 sothat the implementation request screen is appropriately customized. Forexample, an operation input for requesting customization can beperformed by pressing a “customize” button 34 displayed on theimplementation request screen illustrated in FIG. 11. In response tothat operation input, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices 204 displays on the operation display unit 20 a settingscreen as illustrated in FIG. 12 for the purpose of selecting a targetfunction for setting the advanced setting items. Subsequently, if, forexample, the copying function is selected as the target function forsetting the advanced setting items; then the setting screens illustratedin FIGS. 6 to 8 are displayed on the operation display unit 20.Meanwhile, although it is possible that the advanced setting itemsdiffer for each target function for setting the advanced setting items,the setting screens are displayed in a similar manner. As a result ofthe customization, the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices 204 updates the configuration file stored in the memoryunit 21 and, in response to an operation input performed by the user,displays an implementation request screen as illustrated in FIG. 13 onthe operation display unit 20. In the implementation request screenillustrated in FIG. 13, the button 57 and buttons 40 to 42 are displayedthat respectively indicate titles “2in1 2 sided copy”, “ScanToMail inPDF”, “ScanToMail in coded PDF”, and “simple copy” corresponding to eachset of settings from among a plurality of sets of settings. Besides, inthe implementation request screen, the standard-initial-screen callingbutton 58 is displayed for the purpose of calling the standardimplementation request screen that is not customized.

Explained below is the sequence of operations performed in the imageformation supporting system according to the present embodiment.Firstly, the explanation is given with reference to FIG. 14 about thesequence of operations performed by the handheld device 2 to obtain theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices from theimage forming apparatus 1. Herein, it is assumed that a single imageforming apparatus 1 is present within the range in which the handhelddevice 2 can perform communication via the wireless communication unit22. When the initial communication program is started in response to anoperation input performed by the user from the operation display unit 20(Step S1), the CPU 24 of the handheld device 2 searches for imageforming apparatuses within the range in which it can performcommunication via the wireless communication unit 22 (Step S2). Duringthat search, the CPU 24 sends out inquiries by broadcast via thewireless communication unit 22 (i.e., sends inquiry data to anunspecified number of destinations by means of wireless communication).

Meanwhile, upon switching ON the power of the image forming apparatus 1,the CPU 15 executes the handheld-device-communication program. When theCPU 15 receives the inquiry data from the handheld device 2 via thewireless communication unit 18, it notifies the handheld device 2 thatthe image forming apparatus 1 is present within the communicable rangeof the handheld device 2 (Step S3). Upon receiving that response, theCPU 24 determines that the image forming apparatus 1 is present withinthe communicable range thereof. Subsequently, based on a predetermineddetermination condition, the CPU 24 determines whether to obtain theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices from theimage forming apparatus 1 (Step S4). The details regarding thedetermination based on the predetermined determination condition aregiven later. If it is determined to obtain the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices from the image forming apparatus 1,then the CPU 24 sends to the image forming apparatus 1 a request to sendthe image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices (StepS5). In response to that request, the image forming apparatus 1 readsfrom the memory device 17 the image-forming-apparatus control programfor handheld devices including unique information that enablesidentification the image forming apparatus 1 and then sends that programto the handheld device 2 (Step S6). Upon receiving theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, the CPU 24of the handheld device 2 stores it in the memory unit 21 (Step S7) andexecutes it upon loading (Step S8). Meanwhile, until the execution ofthe image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices iscomplete, the execution of the initial communication program isterminated.

Subsequently, the CPU 24 displays the initial setting screen asillustrated in FIG. 5 on the operation display unit 20. In response tothe operation input performed by the user from the initial settingscreen, the CPU 24 displays the setting screen as illustrated in FIG. 6on the operation display unit 20. Then, in response to the operationinput performed by the user from that setting screen, the CPU 24displays the setting screen as illustrated in FIG. 7 on the operationdisplay unit 20. Subsequently, in response to the operation inputperformed by the user from that setting screen, the CPU 24 generates aconfiguration file and stores it in the memory unit 21. Using thatconfiguration file, the CPU 24 displays the implementation requestscreen as illustrated in FIG. 11 on the operation display unit 20.

Explained below with reference to FIG. 15 is the sequence of operationsregarding the determination performed at Step S4 based on thepredetermined determination condition. Firstly, the CPU 24 of thehandheld device 2 determines whether the configuration file is stored inthe memory unit 21 (Step S20). If the configuration file is not stored(No at Step S20), then the CPU 24 decides to obtain theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices from theimage forming apparatus 1 (Step S24) and proceeds to Step S5 illustratedin FIG. 14. On the other hand, if the configuration file is stored (Yesat Step S20), then the CPU 24 displays the implementation request screenon the operation display unit 20 using the configuration file (StepS21). If an operation input for requesting customization is performedfrom that implementation request screen (Yes at Step S22), then the CPU24 decides to obtain the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices from the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S24) andproceeds to Step S5 illustrated in FIG. 14. Thus, the predetermineddetermination condition is that the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices is obtained from the image formingapparatus 1 either when the configuration file is not stored in thememory unit 21 or when the configuration file is stored in the memoryunit 21 and an operation input for requesting customization isperformed.

Meanwhile, if an operation input for requesting customization is notperformed (No at Step S22) but if an operation input for requestingimage formation is performed (Yes at Step S23), then the CPU 24 decidesnot to obtain the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices from the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S25) and sends an imageforming request to the image forming apparatus 1. The details regardingthat operation are given later.

Under the condition in which the configuration file is not stored in thememory unit 21 (No at Step S20); when the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices that is received from the imageforming apparatus 1 is executed from Step S5 to Step S8 illustrated inFIG. 14, the CPU 24 displays the initial setting screen as illustratedin FIG. 5. Then, in response to the operation input performed by theuser, the CPU 24 changes the setting screens displayed on the operationdisplay unit 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, generates aconfiguration file, and stores it in the memory unit 21. Using thatconfiguration file, the CPU 24 then displays the implementation requestscreen as illustrated in FIG. 11 on the operation display unit 20. If anoperation input for requesting image formation is performed from theimplementation request screen; then the CPU 24 ends the execution of theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, restartsthe execution of the initial communication program, and issues an imageforming request to the image forming apparatus 1.

Under the condition in which the configuration file is stored in thememory unit 21 (Yes at Step S20); when an operation input for requestingcustomization is performed from the implementation request screen atStep S22 illustrated in FIG. 15 and the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices that is received from the image formingapparatus 1 is executed from Step S5 to Step S8 illustrated in FIG. 14,the CPU 24 displays the initial setting screen as illustrated in FIG.12. Then, in response to the operation input performed by the user, theCPU 24 changes the setting screens displayed on the operation displayunit 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 and updates the configurationfile stored in the memory unit 21. Using that configuration file, theCPU 24 then displays the implementation request screen as illustrated inFIG. 13 on the operation display unit 20. If an operation input forrequesting image formation is performed from the implementation requestscreen; then the CPU 24 ends the execution of theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, restartsthe execution of the initial communication program, and issues an imageforming request to the image forming apparatus 1.

Explained below with reference to FIG. 16 is the sequence of operationsfor issuing an image forming request to the image forming apparatus 1subsequent to Step S25 illustrated in FIG. 14. For example, assume thatthe user sets an original in the scanner unit 12 of the image formingapparatus 1 and performs an operation input of pressing the button 57indicating “2in1 2 sided copy” from the implementation request screen(e.g., see FIG. 11) displayed on the operation display unit 20 of thehandheld device 2. In that case, by executing the initial communicationprogram, the CPU 24 of the handheld device 2 refers to the configurationfile that is stored in the memory unit 21 in a corresponding manner withthe image forming apparatus 1, reads from the configuration file theinformation regarding the settings including the title “2in1 2 sidedcopy” as illustrated in FIG. 9, and sends to the wireless communicationunit 22 an image forming request (implementation request regarding 2in12 sided copy) in which the information regarding the settings except thetitle (i.e., information regarding “function”, “scan_side”, “Nin1 ”,“paper_size”, and “print_size”) is specified as the image formingconditions (Step S30). The wireless communication unit 22 then sends theimage forming request to the image forming apparatus 1 (Step S31). Inthe image forming apparatus 1, the wireless communication unit 18receives the image forming request sent at Step S31 and transfers thatrequest to the handheld-device-communication program running in the CPU15 (Step S32). When the handheld-device-communication program receivesthe image forming request at Step S32, the CPU 15 analyzes the imageforming conditions specified in the image forming request. Moreparticularly, as each image forming condition, the CPU 15 determines“function” specified in the image forming request for determining thefunction (herein, the copying function) that is to be implemented forthe formation of target images (Step S33), determines “scan_side” fordetermining the reading sides (herein, single-side) of the original,determines “Nin1” for determining the number of pages (herein, twopages) to be combined, determines “paper_size” for determining theoutput paper size (herein, the A4-size), and determines “print_side” fordetermining whether a single side or both sides of the paper are to beused for the output (herein, both sides to be used) (Step S34). Then,the CPU 15 requests the SCS 122 to register the image forming request asa job (Step S35). In response to that request, the SCS 122 receives ajob specific to the image forming request and controls the execution ofthat job. As a result of executing the job, the image forming apparatus1 reads images from an original set by the user in the scanner unit 12of the image forming apparatus 1 and, using those images and followingthe image forming conditions specified in the image forming requestreceived from the handheld device 2, combines two pages of images on asingle page and performs image formation on both sides of A4-sizepapers.

Explained below is a case when a plurality of image forming apparatusesis present within the communicable range of the handheld device 2. FIG.17 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary display on the operationdisplay unit 20 of the handheld device 2 when the image formingapparatus 1 is present in plurality within the communicable range of thehandheld device 2. In this case, in the memory unit 21 of the handhelddevice 2, the configuration file for each image forming apparatus 1 withwhich the communication has been performed at least once is stored in acorresponding manner with that image forming apparatus 1. Based on theconfiguration files corresponding to the communicable image formingapparatuses 1, the CPU 24 of the handheld device 2 displays thecustomized implementation request screen on the operation display unit20.

In an identical manner to that described above, the CPU 24 of thehandheld device 2 then starts the initial communication program andsearches for image forming apparatuses within its communicable range. Ifthe image forming apparatus 1 is present in plurality within thecommunicable range, then the CPU 24 displays on the operation displayunit 20 a selection screen illustrating the list of communicable imageforming apparatuses 1 and prompts the user to select one of the imageforming apparatuses 1 as the target image forming apparatus forcommunication. In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, an image formingapparatus A (1 a), an image forming apparatus B (1 b), and an imageforming apparatus C (1 c) are the three image forming apparatusespresent within the communicable range of the handheld device 2. The useris able to select any one of these three image forming apparatuses asthe target image forming apparatus for communication. Herein, it isassumed that the image forming apparatuses 1 a to 1 c have an identicalconfiguration to that of the image forming apparatus 1. However, forexample, it can be assumed that the image forming apparatus 1 a has afaster printing speed but is only capable of monochrome printing andthat the image forming apparatus lb has a slower printing speed than theimage forming apparatus 1 a but is capable of color printing. Then, inthe case of printing a large volume, the user may select the imageforming apparatus 1 a; and in the case of requiring color prints, theuser may select the image forming apparatus 1 b.

Assume that the user selects from the operation display unit 20 one ofthe image forming apparatuses 1 as the target image forming apparatusfor communication. Then, if the configuration file corresponding to theselected image forming apparatus 1 is stored in the memory unit 21, thenthe CPU 24 displays on the operation display unit 20 an implementationrequest screen using that configuration file. On the other hand, if theconfiguration file corresponding to the selected image forming apparatus1 is not stored in the memory unit 21, then the CPU 24 sends to theselected image forming apparatus 1 a request to send theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices and, uponreceiving the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices, executes it and displays the initial setting screen on theoperation display unit 20. While executing the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices, the CPU 24 terminates theexecution of the initial communication program until the execution ofthe image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices iscomplete.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 17, it is assumed that the handhelddevice 2 has previously performed communication with the image formingapparatuses la and lb and the implementation request screen has beencustomized accordingly. Thus, the configuration files corresponding tothe image forming apparatuses 1 a and 1 b are stored in the memory unit21. If an operation input of selecting the image forming apparatus 1 ais performed from a selection screen 60 (by pressing a button 61), thenthe CPU 24 reads the configuration file corresponding to the imageforming apparatus 1 a from the memory unit 21 and displays animplementation request screen 64 on the operation display unit 20 usingthe read configuration file. Similarly, if an operation input ofselecting the image forming apparatus 1 b is performed from theselection screen 60 (by pressing a button 62), then the CPU 24 reads theconfiguration file corresponding to the image forming apparatus lb fromthe memory unit 21 and displays an implementation request screen 65 onthe operation display unit 20 using the read configuration file.Meanwhile, it is assumed that the handheld device 2 has not yetperformed communication with the image forming apparatus 1 c and thus noconfiguration file corresponding to the image forming apparatus 1 c isstored in the memory unit 21. Hence, if an operation input of selectingthe image forming apparatus 1 c is performed from the selection screen60 (by pressing a button 63), then the CPU 24 obtains theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices from theimage forming apparatus 1 c, executes the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices, and displays an initial settingscreen 66 identical to that illustrated in FIG. 5 on the operationdisplay unit 20.

Explained below with reference to FIG. 18 is the sequence of operationswhen the handheld device 2 executes the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices in the case when the image formingapparatuses 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c are present in the communicable range ofthe handheld device 2. In an identical manner to that described above,in response to an operation input performed by the user from theoperation display unit 20, the CPU 24 of the handheld device 2 startsthe initial communication program (Step S1) and searches for imageforming apparatuses within the range in which it can performcommunication via the wireless communication unit 22 (Step S2). Duringthat search, the CPU 24 sends out inquiries by broadcast via thewireless communication unit 22 (i.e., sends inquiry data to anunspecified number of destinations by means of wireless communication).

Meanwhile, when the power of each of the image forming apparatuses 1 a,1 b, and 1 c is switched ON; the respective CPUs 15 run the respectivehandheld-device-communication programs. When the CPU 15 in each of theimage forming apparatuses 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c receives the inquiry datafrom the handheld device 2 via the wireless communication unit 18, itnotifies the handheld device 2 that the corresponding image formingapparatus is present within the communicable range of the handhelddevice 2 (Step S3). Upon receiving those responses, the CPU 24determines that the image forming apparatuses la, lb, and 1 c arepresent within the communicable range thereof. Subsequently, asillustrated in FIG. 17, the CPU 24 displays on the operation displayunit 20 the selection screen 60 illustrating the list of communicableimage forming apparatuses 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c, and prompts the user toselect a target image forming apparatus for communication (Step S40).Once the target image forming apparatus for communication is selectedfrom the selection screen 60, the CPU 24 determines whether to obtainthe image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices fromthe selected image forming apparatus (Step S4). The details regardingthe determination are the same as described above with reference to FIG.15.

Herein, for example, assume that an operation input for selecting theimage forming apparatus 1 c is performed from the selection screen. Inthat case, since the determination result at Step S20 comes out to benegative, the CPU 24 decides to obtain the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices from the image forming apparatus 1c (Step S24) and, in an identical manner to that described in theembodiment, sends to the image forming apparatus 1 c a request to sendthe image-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices (StepS5). In response to that request, the image forming apparatus 1 c readsfrom the corresponding memory device 17 the image-forming-apparatuscontrol program for handheld devices including unique information thatenables identification of the image forming apparatus 1 c and then sendsthat program to the handheld device 2 (Step S6). Upon receiving theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, the CPU 24of the handheld device 2 stores it in the memory unit 21 (Step S7) andexecutes it upon loading (Step S8). Consequently, the CPU 24 displaysthe initial setting screen 66 as illustrated in FIG. 17 on the operationdisplay unit 20. Then, in response to an operation input performed bythe user, the CPU 24 changes the setting screens displayed on theoperation display unit 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8, generates aconfiguration file, and stores it in the memory unit 21. Using thatconfiguration file, the CPU 24 then displays, for example, theimplementation request screen as illustrated in FIG. 11 on the operationdisplay unit 20. If an operation input for requesting image formation isperformed from the implementation request screen; then the CPU 24 endsthe execution of the image-forming-apparatus control program forhandheld devices, restarts the execution of the initial communicationprogram, and issues an image forming request to the image formingapparatus 1 c.

Assume that an operation input for selecting the image forming apparatus1 a is performed from the selection screen. In that case, since thedetermination result at Step S20 comes out to be positive, the CPU 24reads the configuration file corresponding to the image formingapparatus 1 a from the memory unit 21 and displays an implementationrequest screen on the operation display unit 20 using the readconfiguration file. That is, the implementation request screen 64 asillustrated in FIG. 17 is displayed on the operation display unit 20. Ifan operation input of requesting customization is performed from theimplementation request screen 64; then the positive determination resultobtained at Step S22 illustrated in FIG. 15 prompts the CPU 24 to decideto obtain the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices from the image forming apparatus 1 a (Step S24). Then, asdescribed above, the CPU 24 receives the image-forming-apparatus controlprogram for handheld devices, stores it in the memory unit 21, andexecutes it upon loading. Consequently, the CPU 24 displays the initialsetting screen as illustrated in FIG. 12 on the operation display unit20. Then, in response to an operation input performed by the user, theCPU 24 changes the setting screens displayed on the operation displayunit 20 as illustrated in FIGS. 6 to 8 and updates the configurationfile stored in the memory unit 21. Using that configuration file, theCPU 24 then displays, for example, the implementation request screen asillustrated in FIG. 13 on the operation display unit 20. If an operationinput for requesting image formation is performed from theimplementation request screen; then the CPU 24 ends the execution of theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices, restartsthe execution of the initial communication program, and issues an imageforming request to the image forming apparatus 1 a. Meanwhile, also inthe case when an operation input for selecting the image formingapparatus 1 b is performed from the selection screen, identicaloperations are performed.

In this way, in the present embodiment, by performing a simple operationinput using the familiar handheld device 2, the user is able to set inadvance the advanced setting items as the image forming conditions withrespect to the image forming apparatus 1. Moreover, the user can send tothe image forming apparatus 1 an image forming request that includes theimage forming conditions. Thus, without having to perform any complexoperation inputs, the implementation request screen can still becustomized according to the preferences of the user thereby making itsimpler to perform operation inputs with respect to the image formingapparatus 1. That eliminates the difficulty encountered when one has tooperate the unfamiliar operation display unit 10 at the time of usingthe image forming apparatus 1. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, ascreen with a large number of buttons is displayed on the operationdisplay unit 10 and touching a button on that screen leads to thedisplay of another screen for the purpose of advanced settings. Hence, alot of times it is difficult to figure out at first glance the necessaryoperations to perform in order to implement an intended function.However, according to the present embodiment, at the time when the userperforms an operation input for the purpose of issuing an image formingrequest to the image forming apparatus 1, the implementation requestscreen as illustrated in FIG. 11 or FIG. 13 is displayed on the handhelddevice 2. That allows the user to figure out at first glance the mannerin which an operation input is to be performed for implementing anintended function. Moreover, in the present embodiment, in order toprovide simplicity in performing operation inputs with respect to theimage forming apparatus 1 from the handheld device 2, the customizationsettings can be provided on a user-by-user basis without having toperform personal authentication or without having a personalauthentication function.

Moreover, even with respect to the image forming apparatuses each havingdifferent functions and capability, simple operations can be performedfrom the handheld device 2 depending on the intended use of each imageforming apparatus. When a plurality of image forming apparatus ispresent in the communicable range of the handheld device 2, a differentimplementation request screen corresponding to each selected imageforming apparatus can be displayed on the operation display unit 20.That makes it possible to flexibly issue an image forming request to aparticular image forming apparatus according to the user intentions. Forexample, if the image forming apparatus la has superior copyingcapability but is only capable of monochrome printing and if the imageforming apparatus lb has smaller copying capability than the imageforming apparatus 1 a but is capable of color printing, then it ispossible to display different implementation request screens on theoperation display unit 20 according to the intended use of the imageforming apparatuses. That enables the user to perform operation inputsfrom such implementation request screens and to send to each imageforming apparatus the image forming requests that include the imageforming conditions corresponding to the predetermined advanced settingitems.

Modification Example

Additional advantages and modifications will readily occur to thoseskilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects isnot limited to the specific details and representative embodiments shownand described herein. Accordingly, various modifications may be madewithout departing from the spirit or scope of the general inventiveconcept as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. Forexample, some of the constituent elements illustrated in the presentembodiment can be deleted or different constituent elements in thepresent embodiment can be appropriately combined. Moreover, it is alsopossible to apply following modifications.

In the present embodiment, each computer program executed in the imageforming apparatus 1 can be saved on a computer connected to a networksuch as the Internet and can be downloaded therefrom via the network.Alternatively, each computer program according to the present embodimentcan be provided in the form of an installable file or an executable fileon a computer-readable storage device such as a compact disk read onlymemory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD), a compact disk recordable (CD-R),or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

Besides, although the image forming apparatus 1 according to the presentembodiment is configured to be able to perform the copying function, theprinting function, the scanning function, and the facsimileing function;it is also possible to configure the image forming apparatus 1 toperform at least two or more of those functions or to function only as acopying machine, a printer, a scanning apparatus, or a facsimileingapparatus.

Moreover, in the present embodiment, at the time when the image formingapparatuses 1 a, 1 b, and 1 c receive from the handheld device a requestto send the image-forming-apparatus control program for handhelddevices, the image forming apparatuses can be configured to make use ofthe SCS 122 and verify whether the user is a legitimate user to whom theimage-forming-apparatus control program for handheld devices can besent. Alternatively, the image forming apparatuses can be configured toperform personal authentication and determine whether the user isauthenticated to use the image forming apparatuses.

Although the invention has been described with respect to specificembodiments for a complete and clear disclosure, the appended claims arenot to be thus limited but are to be construed as embodying allmodifications and alternative constructions that may occur to oneskilled in the art that fairly fall within the basic teaching herein setforth.

What is claimed is:
 1. An image forming apparatus having at least one ofan image reading function, a copying function, a printing function, anda facsimile communication function and being capable of implementing afunction related to image formation, the image forming apparatuscomprising: a memory unit for storing a program that is executed in ahandheld device for the purpose of displaying on the handheld device afirst screen for setting an advanced setting item as an image formingcondition at the time of performing image formation by implementing thefunction and for the purpose of displaying on the handheld device asecond screen for requesting image formation; a sending unit for sendingto the handheld device the program stored in the memory unit in responseto a request from the handheld device; and an image forming unit forperforming, when the handheld device sends an image forming request thathas an image forming condition specified therein and that requests forimage formation by implementation of the function, image formationaccording to the image forming condition specified in the image formingrequest.